Sadly, Shaka Ilembe goes out with a whimper

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WHAT'S UP!

To many people in my kind of circles, all they know of the legendary Zulu king Shaka is from the 1986 TV series Shaka Zulu. I remember watching one or two of the episodes, but the cartoon character that was made to pass off as Shaka put me off.

In any case, it was told from the view of white people (it was based on the book Shaka Zulu by the American writer Joshua Sinclair, who also adapted it for the TV series). I know they probably do it with good intentions, but the ‘white saviour complex’ always gets in the way. Even the title, Shaka Zulu, sounded wrong. That was not Shaka’s name, or title. Typical condescending mzungus, I thought.

The 1980 book The Covenant by James A. Michener is more authoritative on Shaka’s story, even if he is yet another American. But Michener’s considerable reputation is made out of the comprehensive research he does for his books, and I have the outmost respect for him.

Unfortunately, I have not read a book about Shaka from an African writer. So, when word came that DStv was going to air a series on Shaka told from an African perspective, I couldn’t wait. I was even more impressed and intrigued when it turned out that the dialogue was completely in isiZulu and other South African languages, with English subtitles.

Season One consisted of 12 episodes and aired in 2003, and it traced the birth and origins of Shaka. It was almost an extravaganza of a showpiece, and reminded me of the many South African theatrical productions I have watched.

It was so much of an extravaganza it almost overshadowed the actual story it was trying to tell – of the rise of Shaka. The cinematography was awesomely excellent and showed Zulu land in all its majesty.

The story takes place in the late 18th century, and the series tried to be true to what life was like then. The people lived in huts, cooked with firewood, and, most importantly, went about half-naked. The sight of so many topless Zulu girls on screen might have put off some, but at the same time drew in many more.

Season One was properly dominated by the young Shaka (Ntando Zondi) and his mother Nandi (the very beautiful Nomzamo Mbatha), as they were humiliated at the court of Shaka’s father, Senzangakhona (Senzo Radebe). Shaka was born before his father became king, and Nandi found herself just one of many wives the king had.

Troubled by a prophecy about a ‘king of kings’, Senzangakhona mistreated Shaka, so the son and mother fled into exile, where Shaka faced more humiliation. But he eventually grows into a formidable warrior, one who is determined to pay back all the humiliation he got as a young boy.

Season One is almost soapy, with its many romances, love triangles, and tales of betrayal and court intrigue. It also shows, for all the romanticism of African life before the mzungu came, its brutality.

So, we couldn’t wait for Season Two, where the real story of Shaka and how he created one of Africa’s largest empires would be told. Unfortunately, it did not live up to its billing. How many ways can you drive a spear through an opponent’s body? Episode after episode had brief battles where spears are driven through bodies, the battle ends, then begins again in another episode, and more spears driven through torsos. Shaka’s legendary military genius is like a by-the-way, and it was difficult for any charm to show through the stoicness of the man who plays the elder Shaka, Lemogang Tsipa.

The problem is that we know how the story is going to end, so with each episode and with each battle complete with spears piercing bodies, we were just waiting for the end. And the end came creping quietly, almost as if it was embarrassed to be seen. Even the big fight we all expected from Shaka lasted all of a minute, a few strikes from a stick, and one big blow to the opponent’s head. That’s all the cred we see of Shaka as a great warrior.

The cliffhanger at the end is also so-so, as far as cliffhangers go. It shows a white man introducing himself and demanding to see Shaka. It turns out it was Dr Henry Fynn, one of the first white men to penetrate the Zulu kingdom, and the fictitious narrator of Sinclair’s book. It is not clear if there will be a third season, but I bet it will be around the advent of the British, and Boers, into South Africa.

For all its unfulfilled promises, Shaka iLembe is something of a trailblazer in African cinema. Many African films about Africa still maintain the ‘noble savage’ stereotype, but this one is unapologetic. Africans largely wore skins that barely covered their nether regions, and that was portrayed truthfully.

But the standout is the grandeur of Africa, which for once was shown without it being made seemingly exotic, as if some fairyland, and a Tarzan is going to swing from the trees and pat a monkey’s behind. There was nothing cutesy about the beauty of the African women shown, walking around unashamedly swinging their ample curves. Although it was strange that with all the beer being drunk, there were no beer bellies on show, only six packs and chiselled pecks.

A bit disappointing, but a great watch.